HARTFORD, Conn. - Residents affected by Hurricane Sandy may get first-hand information about resources available by speaking directly with recovery specialists at any one of five Disaster Recovery Centers.

Survivors can get answers to their questions, information about state and federal programs and help with paperwork. Specialists can direct survivors to volunteer agencies that may be able to meet specific needs.

Federal assistance can include grants for rental assistance and essential home repairs. Homeowners, renters, business owners and certain nonprofit organizations may also qualify for low-interest disaster loans from the Small Business Administration (SBA) to replace or repair real estate, personal property, business equipment, inventory and assets. The SBA also offers low-interest economic injury loans to business owners.

If possible, survivors should register with FEMA before visiting a center.

People with storm losses should register with FEMA online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, with a smartphone or device at m.fema.gov. Applicants also can register by phone by calling FEMA at 800-621-3362. If you use a TTY, call 800-462-7585. If using 711 Relay or Video Relay Services, call 1-800-621-3362. Multilingual operators are available.

Disaster Recovery Center locations include:

Department of Police Services

Conference Room

6 Custom Drive

Old Saybrook 06475

Open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday - Saturday; and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday

Long Wharf Campus Gateway Community College

60 Sargent Drive

New Haven, CT 06511

Open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday- Saturday; and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday

Groton Senior Center

102 Newtown Road

Groton, CT 06340

Open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday - Saturday; and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday

Housatonic Community College

900 Lafayette Blvd.

Bridgeport, CT 06604

Open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday - Friday; 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday; and noon to 5 p.m., Sunday

Western Greenwich Civic Center

Room 203

449 Pemberwick Road

Greenwich, CT 06831

Open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday - Saturday; and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday

Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-FEMA (3362). For TTY call 800-462-7585.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is the federal government's primary source of money for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. SBA helps homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes, and private nonprofit organizations fund repairs or rebuilding effort, and covers the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged personal property. These disaster loans cover losses not fully compensated by insurance or other recoveries and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations.

FEMA's mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

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